THE 



EDINBURGH JOURNAL 



rr . 



OF 



NATURAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE. 



APRIL, 1831. 



ORIGINAL ARTICLES. 



ART. I. — Descriptions of New or Little Known Species of 

 Birds, By Sir W. Jardine, Bart. F.R.S.E. F.L.S. M.W.S. 

 F.Z.S. &c. 



The following descriptions have been written with the view 

 of making known as early as possible those species of birds in 

 my own collection, which appear to be undescribed, or to possess 

 something remarkable in their external appearance and anato- 

 mical structure. They will be continued occasionally, as arrivals 

 from abroad, or other circumstances, may put me in possession 

 of new or interesting materials. 



No. h- — Lanius melanoleucusy Jard. Pied Shrike. 



L. niger, scapularibus, uropigio, hypochondriis fasciaque remigum 



albis ; plumis capitis, colli jugulique^ elongatis, acuminatis ; cauda 



longissima. 

 Three specimens of this elegant and curiously formed shrike 

 were some time since received from our valued South African 

 correspondent, Dr Smith. The accompanying notes mention 

 that " they were killed in the vicinity of the Orange River, and 

 that nothing was known of their history." From the latter cir- 

 cumstance we may conclude that they are of considerable rarity ; 

 and, though anxiously asked for, no specimens have been included 

 among the numerous species we have since received from that 

 country. 



In the true and typical shrikes, taking Lanius excuhitor of 

 Europe, and the African Z. collaris, as examples, we have a 

 somewhat robust form ; the bill strong, considerably hooked, 

 and possessing a prominent notch, — the latter being in strict 



VOL. III. 2 D 



